iVillage: 10 Tips for Buying Food in Bulk

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To some, the idea of bulk-food buying conjures up the ultimate bang-for-your buck thrill (“Yay, a 10-pound jar of pickles!”). To others, it inspires scary visions of culinary excess (“What am I supposed to do with a 10-pound jar of pickles?”). The truth is that warehouse stores have come into their own as destinations for everyone from huge families to discerning foodies. The secret is out—there is stellar food to be bought in bulk. You just have to be smart about your bulk buying, and with a little help from these shopping tips, you can make sure you’re making the warehouse stores work for you.

Venturing into a warehouse store without a list in hand can be both daunting and dangerous. So, before your wheels ever hit the parking lot, take the time to write up your shopping list. Take inventory in your cupboards, fridge and freezer first, then plan out your meals for the week and create your list, advises Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru. If it’s easier, you may even want to choose one main bulk buy per week (like salmon or chicken) and build your menus around that. (And if you don’t have time to actually sit down and write out a list, be sure to at least have the recipes for your week’s meals on hand when you walk through those doors.)

Thinking strategically when bulk shopping can help keep you from being overwhelmed (or driving home with your rear bumper loaded down to the ground). Start with the calendar. Try not to hit up the warehouse stores around the 1st or 15th of the month, since that’s when most people get paid—you can expect some serious aisle-navigation challenges and epic checkout waits. Then, think safety in numbers. “Buddy shop with a friend or neighbor and buy multipacks that you can divide up—versus just larger-size packages,” recommends Lempert. “And never use one of their flatbed carts—even 100 rolls of toilet paper look small on that.” When you’re in possession of a normal-size cart, get your heavier items first to make your stacking a lot more stable. Start by putting the massive flat of soda on the bottom, and work your way up to the bread and lettuce on the top.

Try not to let your eyes be too big for your stomach (and your pantry). “Buying a 132-ounce jar of salsa for two people is just silly, and you’ll wind up throwing it out,” Lempert says. A good rule of thumb is to buy only in quantities you’ll use within three months. Remember: It’s not a good buy if you can’t cook through it before it goes bad.

“Think about how many times you will be able to use it and actually want to eat it. It’s about coming up with creative ways to prepare and eat the ingredient,” explains Laurie Buckle, editor of Fine Cooking magazine and one of the editors of Big Buy Cooking: The Food Lover’s Guide to Buying in Bulk and Using it All Up. “It’s a little bit like buying shoes and asking yourself, ‘How many things can I wear them with?’”

There was a time when the idea of purchasing meat at a warehouse store would make even the heartiest stomachs recoil. But never fear—a new shopping era is upon us. The big-buy stores have become one of the best places to buy meat. One of the big names in particular is a great place to stock up on your proteins. “Costco for meat—they have the best quality out there, and they do more food safety inspections than the entire U.S. government,” Lempert states.

Produce quality is way up, too. “The bulk stores are realizing more and more people are interested in cooking with local and seasonal ingredients,” says Buckle. “And if you’re not sure where something is from or if it’s in season, never hesitate to ask—even at the big stores, they’re friendly.”

These days, who isn’t trying to keep a close eye on their grocery budget’s bottom line? The good news is that the warehouse stores have things you might not normally indulge in—and usually at a far more reasonable price. “Go in with a treasure hunt in mind,” says Buckle. “Think, what am I going to treat myself to and cook with?” Say cheese, for example. Go for an entire round of Brie (which you would likely pass right up at a regular grocery store). It’s a much better buy to snag the whole thing and then just change up the way you cook with it. Or hunt down fancy olives or yummy prosciutto—just consider it your reward for smart shopping.

Even though you’ve got your trusty list and your strategic plan of attack, you still want to be open to sudden fits of inspiration. One of the main appeals of the big-buy store is that it’s okay to decide impulsively to get something you hadn’t planned on. “Can’t resist that beautiful flat of strawberries? Say, ‘Okay, I’m canceling my plans on Sunday afternoon and staying in and making jam,’” Buckle says. “Have fun with it.” Keep in mind that little bit of flexibility can go a long way.

Yes, it does seem a bit counterintuitive, but do try to remember that just because you’re at a warehouse store does not automatically mean you’re always getting rock-bottom prices. Make sure you don’t get caught up in the bulk whirlwind and wind up overspending—which can be a common pitfall when doing big-buy shopping. “Just because it’s big doesn’t mean it’s cheaper on a unit price,” Lempert points out. “Bring your supermarket receipt with you and compare.” And don’t be afraid to bust out a calculator or your cell phone to crunch those numbers if it helps.